The Arizona Cardinals are coming off their bye week and the Dallas Cowboys are coming off a game in which they played as if it was their bye week. Despite the embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos last
week, the Cowboys are still favored at home in this Week 9 matchup with the Cardinals.
This is a game in which the Cowboys should be able to take advantage of certain matchups to help sway the game in their favor. But the Cardinals have a few matchups of their own that could alter the game in their favor as well. Today, we share the matchups we will be paying particularly close attention to this week.
CeeDee Lamb/George Pickens vs. Cardinals’ secondary
The Cowboys wide receiver duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens should be a major problem for Arizona’s secondary in this Week 9 matchup. The Cardinals are currently allowing 234.9 passing yards per game, ranking 25th of the league. And despite Dak Prescott coming off his worst game of the season, the Cowboys are still averaging 263.8 passing yards per game, which ranks first in the league. This is a matchup that should have a positive ripple effect for the entire Cowboys offense and help sway the game in their favor.
DC Matt Eberflus vs. QB Kyler Murray
The Cowboys have faced their fair share of dual-threat quarterbacks this year, having mixed results. For the most part Dallas has been able to handle them pretty well, but Kyler Murray could be someone they could struggle to contain. Matt Eberflus has received his fair share of criticism this year, and rightfully so. He will need to figure out how he wants to contain Murray’s dual-threat ability. Having a spy on him seems likely, but Eberflus also needs to stress the importance to his defensive front about maintaining gap integrity.
Cowboys’ defense vs. TE Trey McBride
Trey McBride is Arizona’s most dangerous and consistent offensive weapon. The Pro Bowl tight end has caught 47 passes for 421 yards and four touchdowns in seven games this year and could be a problem for the Cowboys this week, especially if they’re shorthanded in the secondary once again. McBride is a mismatch type of player who is probably too big and strong to attempt to cover with a defensive back and probably too quick for a linebacker. Dallas needs to figure out who will attempt to contain him to better their chances of victory.
